Our Story
About Raven Hill
Where a passion for an extraordinary breed became a way of life — and a commitment to doing it right.
How Raven Hill Began
Raven Hill started with a single Gypsy Vanner mare and a question that most horse people ask themselves eventually: what would it look like to do this seriously?
We had kept horses for years — grade horses, warm bloods, a quarter horse or two — but nothing quite prepared us for the first time we saw a Gypsy Vanner move across a field. The feathering. The head carriage. The way they seem to know they are something special, and carry it with the sort of ease that only comes from genuine confidence and a genuinely good temperament. We were finished. There was no going back to anything else.
Building Raven Hill took time. We spent years studying bloodlines, visiting farms, attending GVHS shows, and being honest with ourselves about what quality really looked like versus what we were willing to settle for. The answer, we decided, was nothing. We would not breed or sell a horse we were not proud to put our name on.
That decision has shaped everything since: the stallions we stand, the mares we retain, the foals we bring into the world, and the homes we place them in. Raven Hill is a small operation by design — not because we could not grow, but because we believe the quality of attention given to each horse matters more than the number of horses produced.
The Raven Hill property in early morning.
Our Breed Philosophy
The Gypsy Vanner is not a fashion statement. It is a working breed with a specific job — pulling vardos, carrying families, standing calmly in chaos. That heritage is the lens through which we evaluate every horse we breed.
A beautiful horse that cannot be trusted around children is not a good Gypsy Vanner. A horse with impeccable bloodlines and poor bone density is not a good Gypsy Vanner. We breed for the complete picture: correct conformation, exceptional temperament, breed-standard feathering, and the kind of structural soundness that holds up over a lifetime of work.
We are selective about the mares we retain and the horses we offer for breeding. We are equally selective about placement — a Raven Hill horse should end up in a home where it will be understood, properly cared for, and given the chance to become what this breed was always meant to be.
We participate in GVHS registration and show our horses at the national level, not because ribbons define the breed, but because the show ring is one of the best tools we have for holding ourselves accountable to a clear standard.
- Temperament first. A horse that a child can safely handle and an adult can confidently show is the breed ideal. Temperament is heritable and non-negotiable in our breeding decisions.
- Correct conformation over color. The Gypsy Vanner should be a compact, well-boned, balanced draft-type horse. Color is the advertisement; structure is the investment.
- Honest representation. We disclose every known history, encourage pre-purchase exams, and sell no horse we would not feel comfortable putting a beginner on or standing in a breeding program.
- Long-term relationships. We stay in contact with buyers, answer questions, and genuinely want to know how our horses are doing. Many of our best clients found us through referral from a previous buyer.
The Raven Hill Difference
Health Clearances on Every Horse
All Raven Hill horses are maintained on a rigorous veterinary schedule. Stallions used for breeding carry current health clearances for all GVHS-required conditions. We do not cut corners on preventive care.
Full Documentation with Every Horse
Registration papers, Coggins, vaccination history, farrier records, and veterinary notes travel with every horse we sell. You will know exactly what you are getting before you sign anything.
Honest Assessments
We tell you what a horse is good at and what it is still learning. We tell you who it is best suited for. If a horse is not right for you, we would rather say so than place a horse in the wrong home.
Breed-Dedicated Staff
Everyone who works with our horses has spent years with Gypsy Vanners specifically. This is not a diversified operation. We know this breed — its quirks, its strengths, and what it needs to thrive.
Visit Raven Hill
Raven Hill Gypsy Vanners is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, on a private farm property outside a small rural community. We welcome visits by appointment — we find that buyers who see the horses in their home environment develop a much more accurate sense of who they really are.
We are within driving distance of several major metro areas and close to a regional airport for buyers traveling from out of state. A farm visit takes approximately two to three hours and includes time with the horses as well as a conversation about our program, your goals, and the breed in general.
- Mid-Atlantic region — exact address provided upon confirmed appointment
- Farm visits: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm, by appointment only
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question about the breed, want to schedule a visit, or are ready to talk seriously about a horse or breeding, we would love to hear from you.
Send Us a Message